Race Organisers were joined by 100 local school children in the Solitaire Bompard Le Figaro Race Village as part of the race’s successful education programme.

Fifty Year 5 pupils from Cowes based Lanesend Primary School and 50 from East Cowes based Queensgate Foundation Primary School learnt about sailing by taking a tour of the visiting French Figaros and being part of the official Race Village opening ceremony.

With talks from UKSA, the opportunity to try freeze dried race food, meet with the stage winner and British sailors, arts and crafts and a chance to go onboard one of the 39 racing boats docked in Cowes Yacht Haven, it was a fun filled and educational morning for the pupils.

As the competitors filed in across the finish line, representatives from event partners Destination Cowes, Visit Isle of Wight, Red Funnel and UKSA joined Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight, Major General Martin White in declaring the Solitaire Bompard Le Figaro Race Village officially open for a weekend of family fun.

As published by’Island News’ yesterday the shortened 480nm leg from Deauville, France to the Needles Fairway was won by Frenchman Erwan Tabarly sailing Amor Lux. Southampton sailor Alan Roberts racing Alan Roberts Racing was the first British skipper to arrive in 17th, with 22 year old Southampton University Graduate Will Harris finishing second in the Rookie (first timer) division aboard Artemis 77.

On Saturday, the Red Funnel Food Show and cooking theatre, free skateboarding taster sessions and live Euro 2016 football on the big screen (1700pm and 2000pm) will all be added to the daily entertainment schedule.